Rhinelander City Hall was abuzz with new initiatives and projects last week which were discussed at the planning commission and the newly-formed historic preservation committee meetings.

The historic preservation committee (HPC), chaired by former city alderwoman Dawn Rog, is in the process of reinventing itself with a new focus and new initiatives. "We are trying to put in place policies and procedures which will help build the historic preservation ethic locally," she said, explaining the committee's ongoing work to develop a brochure which will guide owners of historic properties on methods for renovating their properties without damaging their historic integrity.

Rog referenced the impressive inventory of historic buildings within the city's downtown area. A 1998 Intensive Survey Report (ISR) revealed that there are close to 100 buildings which could be eligible for the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The brochure, Rog said, would provide information, resources and guidelines which would not only help increase property values for those properties but also point building owners in the right direction for obtaining income tax credits through the state and federal governments for work that is done according to established standards.

Committee member Laurie Goscha had been working on a map with the intention of creating an historic district within the downtown business district. The committee decided to build on the previous work done in the ISR, using it as a guide during the process.

City administrator Bill Bell suggested that there be at least two historic districts, one for business and the other residential, to enhance the individual feel of the different neighborhoods.

This led to a discussion on how to integrate sign guidelines created by Downtown Rhinelander Inc. (DRI) into the city code.

Committee member Pat LaPorte, who is also the design committee chairman for DRI, said the idea would be to make the design objectives of DRI compatible with the  rules enforced by the city, but only within the central business district. "Our purpose would be to preserve the integrity of those old buildings," she said.

Rog agreed, adding that to enhance the feel of the period architecture of the district, noting that "Back-lit signs would not be allowed, for example."

Changes to the city sign ordinance was also on the agenda of the city's planning commission, but it was decided that since the HPC had not yet decided what changes were needed, the committee would table that agenda item.

Discussion then turned to the expansion of the city's fire station. Fire chief Terry Williams presented the committee with drawings showing the features of the new structure. He said that the addition would be built with new brick to match the old.

Although some existing outdoor parking places would be lost, there were 14 new employee parking places indicated in what is now an alley. "There will be a chain link fence for additional security," he said. "This will be helpful when employees leave their cars there while doing out of town training. Right now it's empty useless space."

Williams also mentioned that the new parking area would be an ideal spot for training firefighters, especially if a new fire hydrant were added. "We could test our fire hoses there without blocking traffic," he said.

The committee decided to approve the use of the alley in the new site plan and to add the fire hydrant if the public works committee agreed to it.

Bell told the committee that the total project cost of $1.3 million included $400,000 for a new ambulance and is partially paid for with a federal grant of $460,000. Williams estimated the project could possibly be finished by next spring.